Thursday, December 18, 2014

There are plenty of rules when it comes to professional photography...or at least lots of strong opinions! To be sure, when it comes to family pictures, we want something to turn out well, but well is a slippery word. What does it really mean? What are we actually looking for?

During our family's photo session this year, I learned a few things about the rules and how doing the wrong thing can actually lead to some pictures that turn out really well! And lead to a great experience together (with happy children at the end!)

(I don't like putting images on the internet without a logo, so I put mine on them...but the session was wonderfully crafted by the talented Amanda Schmitt!!)

1. Shirts with Words or Pictures

Most photographers in the industry will tell us to stay away from words on the shirts. There is great logic to this, since the words can distract from the faces (and sometimes the pictures on the shirts are as big as the head of the wearer!) We, however, did the complete opposite and chose shirts with words....giving everyone the freedom to express themselves (which they all loved!)

2. Whatever Color they Wanted

Yes, I know that we never want people to be "matchy-matchy" but usually photographers will tell their clients to make sure that colors coordinate. Nope...that wasn't us this year. I just looked at my family and told them to wear whatever color they wanted. There were no arguments, no tantrums, no one complaining they didn't like the color palette that was chosen. Not only did they get to express themselves in words on shirts, but could do it in color as well.

3. No Threats or Bribes

You know those moments just before a photo session when you look at your kids (or husband) and remind them to behave themselves? It usually ends with one of two things, doesn't it? A threat of what will happen if your tribe doesn't cooperate, or, if you are a better person than I am...a bribe of some sort of prize that everyone will get if all goes well. This year, there was none of that from me. The only pep talk was....have fun and be yourselves. It took the pressure off me to make anyone behave and, to be honest, probably stunned my crew into obeying out of bewilderment!

4. No "Perfect" Image in Mind

Many times going into a personal family session, I know the picture I have in mind (usually for our holiday card), but this year, that canvas was blank. And it was so freeing!!! As I dropped my conception of the perfect image (which for me is not necessarily everyone looking at the camera), it allowed me to enjoy myself. The only thing I wanted was to capture our fun, laughter and love....whatever that looked like. (And yes, the picture above is how we act most of the time, which makes it the perfect image!!)

5. Make it Fast

Let's be honest....sometimes families don't like getting their picture taken because it takes SO long! The photographer (and usually mom) is so concerned with getting the right pose or that the composition of the heads create triangles or that the landscape behind looks perfect. All that is lovely, but not when you are dealing with fleeting attention spans. We learned this year to shoot quickly (maybe this was made easier by dropping the idea of the perfect image!) At the end of the session, our photographer looked at her phone, was taken aback and exclaimed, "that was only 22 minutes"!! Yes...yes it was!!

6. Playing, not Posing

There is always need in family pictures for giving direction and any good photographer does just that. But I learned this year that I don't really like "poses"; I much prefer playing. Putting a family in a spot (giving direction) and allowing the play to unfold makes much better pictures....and makes much happier people at the end of the session! Plus, it captures real interaction..not just fake, stiff smiles.

Of course, we did one thing RIGHT....we hired a professional! I will always recommend hiring someone to take your family pictures! If they know what they are doing (and they should if they are a pro), it allows everyone to relax a little knowing that photographer knows how to use her camera, can give enough direction, and has their best interest in mind. (Thanks to Amanda Schmidtt for our great session and images!!)

(Look! We have one of all of us looking lovely AND looking at the camera!!)

May your holiday season be wonderful!! And may you capture many "wrong" moments on camera, that actually turn out to be just right!!

Monday, October 27, 2014

The carpets were rolled out again today. The weather is changing; leaves, rain, and mud adorn the ground once again. All those elements become hitchhikers on our shoes this time of year, so the carpets, not needed during the summer, must be laid down again to welcome these wet, muddy visitors. It is the season to take off our shoes lest we trek all the muck from outside in.

But maybe there is more to it. There is a reverence to taking off our shoes, isn't there? It is an act of pausing...of thoughtfulness, of assessing the current state and transitioning to something new. Our feet move from "normal" and "protected" to vulnerability and risk (and perhaps relief?). We walk differently without shoes, don't we? Less casually and a little more aware.

Yes, it is the season to take off our shoes.

As I extracted the carpets from their place in the garage, I was reminded of a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. (Funny how such a mundane act can lead to poetry!!)

Earth's crammed with heaven

And every common bush afire with God

But only he who sees takes off his shoes

The rest sit around and pluck blackberries

"But only he who sees takes off his shoes." That line was a lingering single note in the silent auditorium of my mind. This shoe-taking-off season is my invitation to SEE. To slow down, pause, take a breath and see that "earth is crammed with heaven". It is an invitation to walk a little more intentionally and with deeper reverence because the Presence of God is everywhere - ablaze to be noticed!

So I think I want to practice taking off my shoes wherever I go...because somehow my eyes are linked to the condition of my feet! Is it because our feet can feel every inch of the earth beneath us and they give our eyes permission to see Burning Bushes and not just blackberries?

Monday, October 20, 2014

This crew was traveling through Colorado last weekend...on a 10+ day family trip...driving...and they still like each other!!! I met up with them in Colorado Springs to play a little and see if we could get the beautiful Colorado backdrop in some family pictures!! Here are a few from our time together....

These kiddos are AWESOME!! After all that time in the car together, they were still friendly with each other and proved they could still have lots of fun!!

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The Red Thread

There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.

I want my photography to highlight this red thread – this connection between people, who at one time or another, in one circumstance or another, have met. It may be children, grown-ups, friends, families, parents with their kids, lovers, even newborn babies. The red thread is there and its strength and flexibility are amazing.

My approach to photographing your wedding, family or children is to capture the connections and relationships in a photojournalistic style. Catching your family and friends in real-life settings, creating images that evoke love and laughter, and provide photographs that can be treasured by all who are, and will be, connected to you.